School district "not panicked yet" about closing possibility

If Kansas lawmakers do not take action, schools in the state will be unable to open their doors after June 30, in preparation for the 2017 fiscal year.

"Well we really don't know what it looks like because we have no directives at this point in time. I do believe the supreme court will give us some guidelines, but right now we have nothing so it's hard to really make a plan," Galena USD 499 superintendent Brian Smith said.

Smith said he is doing his best to keep teachers and staff informed and that no one is panicking just yet.

"My greatest concern is what's best for the children because we have children that go to school year-round with summer school and our learning zone program and we feed breakfast and lunch to children year-round. There would be some children in a bad situation if we had to close school," Smith said.

Local lawmaker and Galena High School alum Senator Jake LaTurner voted against legislative adjournment on Wednesday.

"I think we need to stay and do our jobs, we need to exhaust every single option to make sure schools don't close July 1st. So my hope is that the governor calls a special session and we go back up there and get to work," LaTurner said.

Smith thinks the best plan for his district atleast is an equitable finance plan.

"Every school in southeast Kansas would benefit from an equitable plan. The children would benefit and the taxpayers would really see benefits. That's what this case is really about is inequities between taxpayers in wealthy districts and taxpayers in low wealth districts like Galena," Smith said.

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

Natural Grocers had shoppers lined up around the building for its grand opening today. Some came out for a chance at free groceries but many shoppers say they've seen the benefits of healthy eating and even choosing organic foods. Tonight at six Lisa Olliges talks to shoppers. And we hear from a local nutrition expert about the benefits of eating healthy and where to find healthy foods. More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

FARMERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS Representatives from Missouri's Democratic party visit Joplin to discuss planned legislation for farmers. Democrats have called their legislation the "Farmers’ Bill of Rights," and it includes three components. One of them is the "right to rural opportunity." Representatives from Missouri's Republican party issued a statement to KOAM and the statement did not address specific parts of the proposed legislation...More >>

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.

We often say Christmas is for kids but that also includes teens and even they enjoy gifts. A Carterville couple is working hard to make ends meet but the family will need help from the KOAM-TV Toybox and the Salvation Army.